The official Six Nations Thread : could be the best in years!

[SpankySpanky]

No problem with that at all.

I vote we keep this to the Lions thread now....


Agreed. But I feel I will have to warn you that I am well known for having a sixth sense about these things. I actually predicted Gilbert O'Sullivan would grow his sideburns a good 3 months before he did. You've been warned....


:D


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[GreyJackal]

Pics of Scotland making us look good (:/) here (http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=357754)

[Matholwch]

I base my opinion with what he does on the pitch and he he aint done much at all. In a dominating welsh team if he cant do it now he never will.

Nothing personal in it, just dont rate the guy at all.
Henson's a bit of a contradiction, he has some extremely good games and then some where he's completely anonymous - his consistency on the international scene hasn't been great. He was impressive against England (he makes some very hard tackles), and again against Italy (despite gifting the Italians a try). In the Celtic League he performs regularly, and with a boot like his - exellent for clearing the ball from your own half!
Personality wise he's also very strange - displays arrogance in on the pitch, but apparently is very shy, even had an interview on Scrum V stating that the Ospreys coaching staff had to set him objectives to get him out of his 'shell' each week. :cuckoo:

No doubt BOD is good, but Wales more or less nullified him last Saturday

[wolfkiller]

Henson's a bit of a contradiction, he has some extremely good games and then some where he's completely anonymous
SNIPPED
No doubt BOD is good, but Wales more or less nullified him last Saturday

In the case of Ireland, without D'Arcy and with Murphy out of sorts, teams only had to target one player in the Irish backline (O'Driscoll) and with him 'nullified' Ireland did look pedestrian.

The reverse is the case with Wales, Henson had been singled out (to an extent) after the England game but with quality players all through the backline he didn't have to star he just had to do his bit.

I'm not in the 'Henson is great' camp at all, but, remember, this is his first full championship season and if he improves with experience we all could be believing the hype.
ATM he's not a Gibbs, let alone a Guscott.

[SpankySpanky]

In the case of Ireland, without D'Arcy and with Murphy out of sorts, teams only had to target one player in the Irish backline (O'Driscoll) and with him 'nullified' Ireland did look pedestrian.

The reverse is the case with Wales, Henson had been singled out (to an extent) after the England game but with quality players all through the backline he didn't have to star he just had to do his bit.

I'm not in the 'Henson is great' camp at all, but, remember, this is his first full championship season and if he improves with experience we all could be believing the hype.
ATM he's not a Gibbs, let alone a Guscott.


IMHO he's perfect for playing the Kiwis, for the simple reason that he is a huge tackler and massive kicker. I know his detractors on here have said that, despite his massive tackle on Tait he still didn't wrestle the ball away, but fact is I don't think Jonny did when he sent N'Tamack back about 10 yards. IMO getting the ball in these situations is not as important as the positive effect the huge hit has on his team mates - and the negative effect it has on the opposition. If I had been Tait I would have felt hugely embarassed as it appeared Henson was treating him like a rag doll! And what has happened to Tait since?? I believe a few on here are of the opinion he will be 'taken apart' by the big hitting Kiwis. We'll see, but IMO they won't know what's hit them. BOD certainly didn't...I reckon a few of those tackles on the Kiwi centres and they will start taking notice, but hey what do I know, there are some rugby experts on here. I suppose only time will tell....


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[Radiohead]

Henson's 15 stone and Tait is 13 stone. N'Tamack was 2 stone heavier than Wilkinson.

That's why his tackles on Tait didn't impress me. Tindall would be an entirely different proposition, as will IMO, the Kiwis.

[Frankie Angels]

I'll probably get slaughtered for this but here goes.

I would take Andy Farrell on the lions tour as a non-playing squad member. My reasons?

1. He's a proven motivator

2. He has experience of tours of the southeren hemisphere

3. He has been on a winning side against SH teams

4. He will read games from a slightly different viewpoint and could give SCW some insight into the All Black players who have swapped codes.

Like I said a bit of a long shot and no doubt some will slate me for it, but seeing as SCW has a massive backroom staff anyway will one more do any harm?

[Radiohead]

Unlikely as Robinson has said he'll be training with the Elite England squad with a view to going on the Churchill Cup tour.

Anyway - this should be in the Lions thread....

[SpankySpanky]

Henson's 15 stone and Tait is 13 stone. N'Tamack was 2 stone heavier than Wilkinson.

That's why his tackles on Tait didn't impress me. Tindall would be an entirely different proposition, as will IMO, the Kiwis.


BOD is also 15 stone and I didn't see him unduly worry Henson in the tackle (in fact, exactly the opposite ocurred!) But if you are fearful of him getting a battering (it won't happen, btw) from the Kiwi centres, then put him at fly half and let him rip into Carter (if they play him there). He can't be any heavier than Tait. And let's not beat about the bush, he didn't so much tackle Tait, it was more how a child would deal with a rag doll they had played with for too long. It wsa embarassing to watch as an Englishman...

;)


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[Radiohead]

http://www.crfu.co.nz/crusaders/index.cfm/4,440,72,html

Makes Carter 95kg which is, what, 15 stone in old money?....and only 5'9" or so as well. Hardly a Tait in build, and he has 17 tests under his belt.

I don't expect Henson to get any battering, he's too strong, but he's going to have a shock if he thinks he can tackle everyone like that. Plus he needs to stop leading with teh shoulder and not wrapping because you can bet SH refs will ping him for that.

[SpankySpanky]

Granted Tait is a lightweight (80kg) in rugby terms but you have to take into account that Henson picked him up and put him under his arm, as this pic proves!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/4240077.stm


:eek:


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Incidentally, that article also quotes no less a judge on centres than Guscott going into raptures about him! Praise indeed...

[mobile-spares]

Henson has put in big hits on bigger men in the tournament - e.g. Julian White (120kg) tackle in the opening game comes to mind.

I don't think he expects to tackle everyone like that but if the opportunity is there and you back you strength why not? Big hits must spur the rest of your team mates on and make the oppo think twice about running at you again.

[SpankySpanky]

He also stopped Josh Lewsey stone dead whilst he was in full flow, no easy task because he's as hard as nails. If only he didn't wear those flashy boots/use fake tan/shave his legs/gel his hair/nail Charlotte Church on a regular basis I'm sure more traditional rugby people would recognise his fantastic promise!!


:lol:


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